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What's The Difference? 6K5g-6K5GT
1/11/2009 12:54:36 PMJohnny
Hi folks,
I thought a 6K5 was a 6K5 electrically no matter what the following letters are which I thought designated the style of the tube. I see I can get a 6K5G from AES for $16.74 and a 6K5GT for $4.32. Only difference at AES is one is listed as a "Triode" and the later as a "Triode, HI MU" which I don't know what "HI MU" means. Can someone clarify this for me and what does "HI MU" stand for? Thanks, Johnny
1/11/2009 1:06:22 PMWarren
:Hi folks,
:I thought a 6K5 was a 6K5 electrically no matter what the following letters are which I thought designated the style of the tube. I see I can get a 6K5G from AES for $16.74 and a 6K5GT for $4.32. Only difference at AES is one is listed as a "Triode" and the later as a "Triode, HI MU" which I don't know what "HI MU" means. Can someone clarify this for me and what does "HI MU" stand for? Thanks, Johnny

The Mu factor ..

A measure of the relative effect of the voltages on two electrodes upon the current in the circuit of any specified electrode. It is the ratio of the change in one electrode voltage to a change in the other electrode voltage, under the condition that a specified current remains unchanged.

Now that sure clears that up. Get the 6K5GT.

http://www.nj7p.org/Tube4.php?tube=6k5gt

Then look at the 6K5G ..

1/11/2009 1:17:31 PMDoug Criner
A GT or a G refers to the shape of the glass envelope. No other difference.

The GT has a smaller, cylindrical-shaped envelope. I suppose there is a rare chance that a G would occupy too much room if the set were laid out for a GT.

The G shape is older looking, and might appeal to some on appearance grounds.
Doug

1/11/2009 2:09:51 PMWarren
:A GT or a G refers to the shape of the glass envelope. No other difference.
:
:The GT has a smaller, cylindrical-shaped envelope. I suppose there is a rare chance that a G would occupy too much room if the set were laid out for a GT.
:
:The G shape is older looking, and might appeal to some on appearance grounds.
:Doug

May as well add this too.

Warren J. Dougherty, a serviceman of Kinkaid, Kansas, has called to our attention one of the factors most overlooked when replacing G-type tubes with the more newly-designed GT tubes. Invariably these GT tubes, with metal base, have their No. 1 pin grounded. Inasmuch as many manufacturers use all available socket pins for common tie-points, considerable damage may be caused when grounding the No. 1 pin. A particular case is the RCA Model BT-42 which was originally equipped with G-type tubes. When changing to GT tubes with metal base, the condenser, C16, 400-µfd. condenser and 1-megohm resister, R7, in the plate circuit of the 1H5 should be disconnected from the No. 1 pin of the 1N5 tube socket, as in this particular case, it was used as a common terminal connector. The metal base occasionally will short out the plate voltage from the 1H5 tube, resulting in a nonoperating receiver.

1/11/2009 2:26:41 PMDoug Criner
Warren, are you sure that you (or the Mr. Dougherty you quote) isn't thinking of a metal tube, not a GT? I can't recall seeing a GT with a metal base. Not saying they don't exist, but I just pawed through some of my GTs, and none had a metal base.
Doug


::A GT or a G refers to the shape of the glass envelope. No other difference.
::
::The GT has a smaller, cylindrical-shaped envelope. I suppose there is a rare chance that a G would occupy too much room if the set were laid out for a GT.
::
::The G shape is older looking, and might appeal to some on appearance grounds.
::Doug
:
:May as well add this too.
:
: Warren J. Dougherty, a serviceman of Kinkaid, Kansas, has called to our attention one of the factors most overlooked when replacing G-type tubes with the more newly-designed GT tubes. Invariably these GT tubes, with metal base, have their No. 1 pin grounded. Inasmuch as many manufacturers use all available socket pins for common tie-points, considerable damage may be caused when grounding the No. 1 pin. A particular case is the RCA Model BT-42 which was originally equipped with G-type tubes. When changing to GT tubes with metal base, the condenser, C16, 400-µfd. condenser and 1-megohm resister, R7, in the plate circuit of the 1H5 should be disconnected from the No. 1 pin of the 1N5 tube socket, as in this particular case, it was used as a common terminal connector. The metal base occasionally will short out the plate voltage from the 1H5 tube, resulting in a nonoperating receiver.

1/11/2009 3:55:28 PMWarren
:Warren, are you sure that you (or the Mr. Dougherty you quote) isn't thinking of a metal tube, not a GT? I can't recall seeing a GT with a metal base. Not saying they don't exist, but I just pawed through some of my GTs, and none had a metal base.
:Doug

The other Warren not me is correct. But he is talking about the GT types such as the 1N5 found in the old filament type farm radios. I have an RCA 55F that has all GT tubes, such as 1A7 1H5 and even the output 3Q5. All have a metal base. Have A peek here.

http://www.nj7p.org/Tube4.php?tube=1N5GT
:
:
:::A GT or a G refers to the shape of the glass envelope. No other difference.
:::
:::The GT has a smaller, cylindrical-shaped envelope. I suppose there is a rare chance that a G would occupy too much room if the set were laid out for a GT.
:::
:::The G shape is older looking, and might appeal to some on appearance grounds.
:::Doug
::
::May as well add this too.
::
:: Warren J. Dougherty, a serviceman of Kinkaid, Kansas, has called to our attention one of the factors most overlooked when replacing G-type tubes with the more newly-designed GT tubes. Invariably these GT tubes, with metal base, have their No. 1 pin grounded. Inasmuch as many manufacturers use all available socket pins for common tie-points, considerable damage may be caused when grounding the No. 1 pin. A particular case is the RCA Model BT-42 which was originally equipped with G-type tubes. When changing to GT tubes with metal base, the condenser, C16, 400-µfd. condenser and 1-megohm resister, R7, in the plate circuit of the 1H5 should be disconnected from the No. 1 pin of the 1N5 tube socket, as in this particular case, it was used as a common terminal connector. The metal base occasionally will short out the plate voltage from the 1H5 tube, resulting in a nonoperating receiver.

1/11/2009 2:33:03 PMThoams Dermody
Both are high-mu tubes. The G tube is going to be more expensive because it is rarer (and more attractive).

Hi-mu has to do with amplification factor (to a degree, I believe). A hi-mu tube will have more gain than a medium or low-mu tube.

6SQ7 is a hi-mu tube. 6SR7 is a low-mu tube. If you put a 6SR7 in a 6SQ7 socket, the audio won't be as loud (most likely, though not definitely).

T.

1/11/2009 5:18:39 PMRon
Just my two cents worth Johnny,but you can also get the same tubes from Radio Daze for a little less money and not have to pay that ridiculous $2.50 handling charge.As soon as I found Radio Daze,I never went back to AES.The people are much nicer to deal with too.
1/11/2009 7:29:52 PMBob Z
Take a look at findatube.com, they have new and used, both GT & G. A new GT is 7.00 and a used is 3.00. I have purchased quite a few from him, service is quick and never had a problem with either a new or used tube.
Shipping is normally 5.00 for priority mail for a small quanity of tubes.
Bob Z

:Hi folks,
:I thought a 6K5 was a 6K5 electrically no matter what the following letters are which I thought designated the style of the tube. I see I can get a 6K5G from AES for $16.74 and a 6K5GT for $4.32. Only difference at AES is one is listed as a "Triode" and the later as a "Triode, HI MU" which I don't know what "HI MU" means. Can someone clarify this for me and what does "HI MU" stand for? Thanks, Johnny

1/11/2009 8:20:13 PMFred R
:Take a look at findatube.com, they have new and used, both GT & G. A new GT is 7.00 and a used is 3.00. I have purchased quite a few from him, service is quick and never had a problem with either a new or used tube.
:Shipping is normally 5.00 for priority mail for a small quanity of tubes.
:Bob Z
:
::Hi folks,
::I thought a 6K5 was a 6K5 electrically no matter what the following letters are which I thought designated the style of the tube. I see I can get a 6K5G from AES for $16.74 and a 6K5GT for $4.32. Only difference at AES is one is listed as a "Triode" and the later as a "Triode, HI MU" which I don't know what "HI MU" means. Can someone clarify this for me and what does "HI MU" stand for? Thanks, Johnny

The only other issue no one mentioned is that of 1938 Philco sets. They used a metal base for the square shields that don't allow a 6K5GT to fit in. I had a Philco 38-5 years ago that needed a 6K5G. I used a 6K5GT and had to cut the shield base out a little larger to allow the larger diameter base of the GT version to fit in. The 1937 Philco sets, some of which also used 6K5G in them don't have the problem and either will physically fit with no mods.

FR

1/11/2009 9:24:01 PMDoug Criner
Bob, I think buying used tubes that are tested is a good idea. I have done it a lot for pre-octals.
Doug

:Take a look at findatube.com, they have new and used, both GT & G. A new GT is 7.00 and a used is 3.00. I have purchased quite a few from him, service is quick and never had a problem with either a new or used tube.
:Shipping is normally 5.00 for priority mail for a small quanity of tubes.
:Bob Z
:

1/11/2009 9:50:00 PMBob Z -
Doug,
I purchased quite a few octal's (6a8, 6v6, 1232), loctal's for a Zenith, all used. I have been playing it for about a year with no problems, and they all tested in the green on an emission tester. Findatube has fairly good prices, good service, and a large inventory. I found him by accident doing a Google search. So far I have been very satisfied with him.
Bob

:Bob, I think buying used tubes that are tested is a good idea. I have done it a lot for pre-octals.
:Doug
:
::Take a look at findatube.com, they have new and used, both GT & G. A new GT is 7.00 and a used is 3.00. I have purchased quite a few from him, service is quick and never had a problem with either a new or used tube.
::Shipping is normally 5.00 for priority mail for a small quanity of tubes.
::Bob Z
::
:



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